The Banded Hairstreak is a small butterfly found across much of the United States, often in woodland edges, oak groves, and shrubby areas. It is chestnut brown with fine white bands across the wings and a striking blue patch on the hindwing, bordered by black and red markings near the base of the tails. The hindwings have two slender, tail-like extensions, a characteristic feature of many gossamer-wing butterflies. When perched, the butterfly often rubs its hindwings together, drawing attention to the false head pattern as a defense against predators..

 

“Banded Hairstreak” by Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren, licensed under (CC BY 2.0)

 

Banded Hairstreak Facts

Butterfly Family: Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Theclinae

Butterfly Wingspan: 1 – 1 1/2 inches

Butterfly Habitat: Forest areas and neighboring open edges and fields

 

🪴 Host Plants

These are the plants where females lay eggs and caterpillars feed:

• Black Oak (Quercus velutina)

• Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra)

• White Oak (Quercus alba)

• Other native oaks (Quercus spp.)

 

🌸 Nectar Plants

Adult Banded Hairstreak butterflies feed on nectar from the following native flowers:

• Blazing Star (Liatris spp.)

• Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

• Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)

• Common Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)

• Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

• Dogbane (Apocynum spp.)

• Ironweed (Vernonia spp.)

• Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium spp.)

• Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum spp.)

• New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus)

• Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

• Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

• Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

• Wild Quinine (Parthenium integrifolium)

• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)